Discover the World’s Largest Handcrafted Cave: Unveiling Fars Province’s Hidden Heritage Gem!
The Sang Shekanan cave, located just south of Jahrom in Fars province, is renowned as the largest hand-made cave globally. However, its hidden beauty remains largely unknown to many Iranians, including residents of Fars. Despite its proximity of only three kilometers from Jahrom city, this stunning cave has yet to attract significant tourist interest. Recent research indicates that this cave dates back hundreds of years, originally serving as a quarry where stonemasons extracted stones for their livelihood.
Over time, these artisans transformed the cave into a remarkable site, showcasing their skill with stone-breaking tools. Today, the cave spans an impressive area of five hectares, making it one of the most significant hand-crafted attractions in the world. It has recently been recognized as the largest hand-carved cave and is officially listed as a national heritage site under number 10117.
From a geological perspective, the cave features various rock layers, with a notable five-meter-thick layer of low-resistance stone sandwiched between more durable layers. This specific layer was ideal for stonemasons, allowing them to use basic tools to extract both large and small rock pieces. To ensure the cave’s integrity, the stonemasons strategically left behind substantial columns every 10 meters of excavation, maintaining the stability of the cave’s ceiling.
As a result of these efforts, a stunning cave emerged, characterized by its 100 stone columns, which stand as a testament to human ingenuity. The cave boasts:
- 12 entrances
- Length: 200 meters
- Width: Varies from 60 to 130 meters
- Total Area: Approximately 20,000 square meters
- Average Height: 3 meters
As the stonemasons extracted stones, they ingeniously created pillars to prevent the cave from collapsing. The cave’s 100 stone pillars fall into two categories:
- Pillars with gaps and crevices: These pillars were not extracted due to the poor quality of the stones.
- Pillars without gaps: These high-quality stones were left intact to uphold the cave’s structural integrity.
The cave’s stunning white limestone and its malleability have historically been used in the adornment of doors and significant buildings. Over the years, natural events like floods and earthquakes have damaged parts of the cave, yet it continues to captivate visitors with its 100 intricately carved columns.
According to Ali Lotfipour, the head of the Jahrom Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department, the cave’s location is advantageous for tourists. He mentioned, “This cave is easily accessible and located within the city of Jahrom, less than 15 minutes from the city center.” The route leading to the cave is completely paved, making it suitable for all types of travelers.
Lotfipour further emphasized that the cave’s proximity to various accommodations, such as eco-lodges and hotels, enhances the overall tourist experience. The city offers hotel capacity for approximately 200 tourists, with an additional 200 spots available in eco-lodges and other facilities.
While the cave has been illuminated, Lotfipour noted that the Cultural Heritage Department currently faces a shortage of manpower, preventing the assignment of full-time guards to oversee this iconic site. He stated that the recognition of Sang Shekanan cave as the world’s largest hand-carved cave is expected to significantly boost both domestic and international tourism.
Jahrom is situated 186 kilometers southeast of Shiraz, making it an excellent destination for tourists seeking to explore Iran’s rich cultural heritage while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Sang Shekanan cave.
